Verdict
Inthar steps up in trip having finished fourth on his handicap bow at Windsor and should finish closer but GRANDILOQUENT is preferred. He followed up a maiden win with victory on fast ground at Newcastle in May and Sir Michael Stoute boasts a good strike rate with his three-year-olds at this track. Fork Handles may find the ground against him having scored in soft going over a shorter trip here last month and Communicator still looks to be in the handicapper's grip judged on his recent placed efforts. Rose Season has scope for further progress, however, while The Bells O Peover makes most appeal of the Mark Johnston pair.
Formwatch
Fork Handles 11-1 (9-9) Raced wide, with leader, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 35l behind Maven (9-1) at York 1m 2f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Communicator 6-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, went 3rd over 4f out, went 2nd under strong pressure over 1f out until no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind John Louis (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Jul.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Always behind, 9th of 12, 20l behind New Hampshire (9-10) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
The Bells O Peover 12-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led after 6f, hard pressed over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Herostatus (9-0) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Spanish Plume 12-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, took keen hold, led 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, caught close home, 2nd of 13, shd behind Noble Jack (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Inthar (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden and no impression 2f out until kept on towards finish, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 5l behind Stature (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Grandiloquent 9-4 (9-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, led again 1f out, kept on gamely, ridden out, won at Newcastle 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) fm in May beating Venegazzu (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Gold Rules 7-2 (10-7) Dwelt, mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Beverley 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Jul beating Dean Iarracht (9-11) by 7l, 11 ran.
Rose Season 14-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led over 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Marshgate Lane (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) sft in Jul.
Hyperlink (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Chased leader, driven to challenge 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened soon after, 9th of 11, 18l behind Gospel Choir (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
